Flights to Brussels

Rue de la régence

Introduction

Stretching from the Justice Palace to the Royal Square, this historical avenue is an ideal starting point for exploring Brussels’ rich cultural heritage.

Hotels

A five-minute drive from here lies the exquisite four-star Le Dixseptième (25 Rue de la Madeleine, tel. (0)2 517 1717, ledixseptieme.be, weekend rates from €100). This former residence of the Spanish ambassador has lavishly decorated rooms that will delight classical art lovers.

Cultural

Begin your tour of discovery at the Museum of Ancient Art (3 Rue de la Régence), part of the Museum of Fine Arts. This elegant institution has a splendid collection of Flemish old masters, with 1200 paintings by Bruegel, Bosch, Rubens and many others. Then, weather permitting, stroll through the lovely Sculpture Garden running alongside the museum. Other noteworthy addresses include the Royal Conservatory (30 Rue de la Régence) and the Great Synagogue, right next door.

Restaurants

Run by Finnish sisters Linda and Nina Rosas, Soul (20 Rue de la Samaritaine, tel. (0)2 513 5213) has become a neighbourhood favourite for those in search of exciting, wholesome food at reasonable prices. The extensive menu offers fish, meat and veggie dishes with a twist, such as the sesame-seared tuna on millet with roasted carrots, wilted spinach and sweet pepper sauce (€19). Add to that the restaurant’s cosy décor and you’ve got all the proof you need that this address is a labour of love.

Night Clubs

It’s tacky, silly and so much fun! The Karaoké Bar Sablon (34 Rue Sainte-Anne) is anything but fancy, but the party often turns out to be much better than that at a posh nightclub. Hidden down a side alley off the Sablon Square, it’s the perfect spot to come with a bunch of friends and sing your drunken hearts out. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 21:00.

Chaussée de wat

Introduction

Forget trying to walk this avenue from one end to the other – it runs across three Brussels communes all the way to the epic battlefield of Waterloo, a 30-minute car drive from the city centre. The long stretch between Ixelles and Saint-Gilles boasts a plethora of great restaurants and shops, with a few that really stand out.

Cultural

Built in 1662, Chaussée de Waterloo is an example of the city’s chameleon nature when it comes to architectural styles. Spot art deco details, such as the door of number 446 or the stained glass featuring a sunset at number 250, alongside many neo-classical and modernist buildings.

Restaurants

Admittedly it’s more expensive than the average Brussels eatery, but En Face de Parachute (578 Chaussée de Waterloo, tel. (0)2 346 4741) is worth the extra euros. This French-Mediterranean restaurant celebrates the art of fine cooking in a candlelit setting that boasts old floorboards, wooden benches and a chalkboard menu. The seafood is excellent. Expect to pay around €50-60.

Pubs

Charming, warm and over-flowing with character – wine bar Kipik (433 Chaussée de Waterloo) is Italian through and through. Guzzle wonderful reds and indulge in tasty morsels from Calabria. A different vibe awaits you at the slightly snooty T’Chac (798 Chaussée de Waterloo). Open since late 2008, this place attracts expensive heels and slicked-back hair. It stays open late on Saturday nights, though, and can be really good fun when people decide to loosen their silk ties.

Shops

Even if you’re not a domestic god(dess), it’s worth having a peak in kitchenware store Le Piano (563 Chaussée de Waterloo), which sells anything from small funky items like cups and pans to the latest high-tech equipment. On the same street, at number 336, grungy comic-book shop The Skull celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, making it the oldest of its kind in Europe – according to the owners, anyway. You’ll find new, second-hand ex libris and manga books, cheesy film posters and other titbits.

Rue borgval

Introduction

You’ll fall in love with and never want to leave this teeny-tiny alley right in the heart of the vibrant Saint-Géry quarter. With its cobblestones, candlelit restaurants and music joints, it exudes a Mediterranean atmosphere. Perfect for a night away from the mainstream.

Hotels

Every city has its legendary hotel, and in Brussels it’s the sumptuous Metropole (31 Place de Brouckère, tel. (0)2 217 2300, metropolehotel.com, package deals from €89.50). Opened in 1895, the establishment features a truly lavish French Renaissance interior. During your stay, a cognac in the aristocratic 19ième Bar is a must.

Cultural

If you’re lucky, you might be able to score a ticket to the Groove Armada gig, which takes place on 6 March at Ancienne Belgique (abconcerts.be), just across the road from Rue Borgval. There’s no need to be disappointed if not, however, as the international contemporary Ars Musica festival (4 March – 2 April, arsmusica.be) holds a smorgasbord of concerts, expos and parties across venues in the city.

Restaurants

Supremely romantic, the pocket-sized Le Petit Boxeur (3 Rue Borgval, tel. (0)2 511 4000) is a French gem that’ll tantalise your taste buds with delicacies like Saint Jacques and scampi risotto with truffles and parmesan. Just as cosy, but more suited to an evening spent amongst friends, is Italian bistro Chez Martin (40 Rue Borgval, tel. (0)2 511 1516). It stays open late and serves up cheap, delicious meals.

Pubs

The Saint-Géry square has so many great bars that you’ll be spoilt for choice. One standout address, though, is the beautiful Mezzo café (18 Rue Borgval), with its chandeliers and stripped brick walls. DJs will play anything from low-beat house to French chanson and R&B.

Night Clubs

Be aware that you’re entering hot territory at La Salsa (9 Rue Borgval), a superb Latino cocktail bar-cum-nightclub. Open till late.

Mérode

Introduction

Located behind the headquarters of the European Commission, this leafy, historical neighbourhood is home to embassies, the majestic Cinquantenaire monument and its splendid park, along with many fabulous boutiques.

Hotels

A short drive from Mérode is the illustrious Gresham Belson (1 Avenue des Anciens Combattants, tel. (0)2 708 3100, gresham-hotels.com, rates from €130) with 135 elegantly appointed rooms with Wi-Fi.

Cultural

The Triumphal Arch, towering over Cinquantenaire Park, was built in the early 1900s as a monument to Brussels’ glorious past. The iron and glass halls on either side celebrate turnof- the-century industrial architecture. The southern edifice is home to the Autoworld Museum (autoworld.be), featuring old-time cars, while the northern one houses the Royal Military Museum. Not known by many, the latter lets you climb all the way to the top of the monument, from where you’ll have breathtaking views across the city.

Restaurants

Breakfast is always yummy at Pain Quotidien (71 Rue des Tongres, tel. (0)2 733 38 97). From boiled eggs and cold meats to croissants, orange juice and homemade jam, everything is fresh and served with a smile. On weekends you’re likely to spot the Lanssens butcher shop (67 Rue des Tongres) from a mile away, because of the queue for the sizzling sausages.

Shops

Few streets in Brussels offer better retail therapy than the Rue des Tongres, beside the Mérode metro. Lined with fashion stores, interior design boutiques and beauty salons, the strip is less crowded than inner-city shopping hubs but offers a similar variety of brands. The mini-malls of Galerie du Cinquantenaire and Passage Linthout, meanwhile, are good for French and Italian shoe labels. Check out Lamiel (1 Passage Linthout), which has a wide range of brands.